New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-19
will bs brought back to this city, and arrangements are
now being made for another ascent
JUSTICE DONOHUE AT WORK.
THE SECRET OF HIS MARKED SUCCESS.


| HOW ACCOMPLIsHEs MUCH IN LITTLE TIME-HIS
METHODS AND HIS TRAITS.
II tho eighthour rule applied to the labor OF
Judges in the Of record in this CITY, the heavily
laden calendars would break under the long list OF
tried and justice would be dispensed In such lag
gard way that business would to sandstill and
attractions Of the law would escape punishment almost
altogether The work Of the Judges and especially that
OF those who sit in the Supreme Court II they do their
duty faithfully extends from early morning far into the
night and only small part OF 1t is transacted In ord
nary business hours and in the open court The record
of Charles Donohue who for nearly fourteen years has
been Justice Of the Supreme Court shows what an in
dustrious and capable jurst can accomplish within the
365 days Of the year. Last year he tried $50 causes in
open court besides $50 more which disposed Of
by settlement between the parties by his suggestion and
by references He granted refused 1S00 motions,
besides hearing and passing uncounted applica-
tons for injunotions and wrs Of habeas corpus In
addition TO these he acted upon 5000 special proceed
ngs such arranging for the sale Of the property OF in
fants the buying selling and mortgaging OF church
property, the appointment Of guardians, the appoint
ment and removal OF receivers and affairs incidental to
various other phases OF litigation.
OF this IL extre illustration Of what these
Judges have to do and breaks the record to what
single Judge can accomplish When Justice Donohue
took his upon the bench he brought with him
equipment for the duties Of his position. Long expert
as successful practitioner added to an unwonted
natural sagaoity gave him advantage at the start
which placed him at among the abes jursts, and
his habits OF close attention his duties and constant
study have ripened his powers II he has character
isc strongly developed than any other II is that OF
quick apprehension and keen insight. Lawyers who
have anything to conceal prefer not to take their cases
before Justice Donohue. He like fash through
the most cunning dsgses with which may be sought
conceal distort the truth, and with one or two
pointed questions will quickly unrave the snared skein
NJ IN In sarO a
TO accomplish much and do IL quickly and so cev-
erly Is marvel to young members Of the bar 1t is not
only his lness OF legal knowledge and readiness In
bringing his perceptions to bear but by constant hard
work that he does it, When there is point OF departure
for given line of judicial labor he gets there before his
work and is ready for 1t as 1t comes along.
His popularity with the members OF the legal PROBES
exceptional for is constantly taking pains to
facilitate the transaction OF their business. He reaches
the Court House long before the prescribed hours for
holding court and sometimes hears case in the early
morning to oblige the lawyers both sides. In such
because he Is doing them favor they disposed
to aid him In quickly dspatchng business and abstain
from tho veKat0ns and unreasonable objections that so
often hamper the trial OF cause within the hours I'm
which the Judges must be present q matter Of duty
and not OF favor Then too much done In expeditng
matters by the in which at the outset he brushes
away the irrelevant questions, grapples with and pre-
the real Issues and directs the attention OF the al
vocates at to these.
Judge Donohue always tries put the lawyers and lit
lgants in good hunor first step toward the speedy
dispatch OF business. Often the lawyers get into per
sonal wrangles which impede progress and do their
clients good. About a month ago young lawyers
were before him a motion. One given to theory
than TO practice. and his opponent becoming net
tied used some uncompllmentary language Now. stop
right there" said Justice Donohue. don't propose to
decide which of you has been cheating the other but TO
decide tho question that Is before me- Aud he decided
very quickly lie had talk
with the lawyer who had lost his temper Now you're
young lawyer" no said, aud you have client behind
you 1t is his Interests that you hero look after
Did IL strike you that IL you into quarrel with
opposing lawyer IL Is not for the quarreng that
paid. but for looking after your clients interests !"
IL was valuable iessVn " tho young practitioner AS lie
afterward acknowledged.
II he can end litigation the spot when a comes
before him, Justice Donohue Is always ready to do So
On lac has been successful IN about one third
OF ho brought before him la geths tho parties to
settle without trial
to give their wants tho earliest possible attention
Physicians In lunacy and other cases whoarecompeedto
before supreme Court Justices sometimes dis
posed To swear AT EN- because they ao kept waiting for
half greatly to the detriment of their
business and the Inconvenience and perhaps peril OF
their patents Justice DOnOhue Is considerable with the
doctors and always attends TO them at once And he is
therefore great favorite with the medical men Al
though he he stern and imperative II need be- ho
prefers 10 coax rather order those who before
MIN. IL is easy persuade men OF the adyisabty Of
doing that which they know they can he compelled TO do
morning eight ten lawyers representing separate
interests surplus fund remaining after the sale OF
some property appeared before the Judge Each had his
own idea what his share should be and Deltted the
claims % others Justice Ionohue took each lawyer
aside asked HIN To the amount he thought he
should have, after considering that he would not be
allowed interfere with the nights OF Others. In this
way he induced settlement In twenty minutes and
signed with the consent Of all parties. Some
Judges when OF the bench refuse To anybody jus
proceeds upon the theory that IL fair To
the lawyers To them at all times knowing from his
experience at the bar that they cannot always oh
papers In time for presentation In court and that l.
OF the greatest import ance To them and theft
clients that orders should be signed at once.
DonOhue Is New Yorker, native and To the
manner He first tho light IN the year 1925 In
that part OF the old sixth Ward which Is now the Four
tecnh Ward. lie partly educated at the Columbia
College Grammar School and partly I'm the law Office OF
Benedict Burr Benedict, with which he became con-
nected the early age OF twelve lie was admitted 10
the bar 1916. lie in partnership for short time
with Alanson Nash. ON January |, 1881, he became
me mb.r the firm OF Beebe. Belts x DOnOhue After
Welcome K Bcebe had been made City Judge AMI George
Belts had become "A partner OF Francis Il. Cutting. Mr.
Donohue practiscd alone for awhile Later Tor brief
periods no had Henry B. stanton and General John |
tochrane partners but in 1883 the famous firm OF
Iieebe Dean Donohue formed and continued until
ls74 when Justice Donohue took his seat upon the |
bench having been elected by great majority. His
term will expire with the present year. and his many
friends predict that he win be his own successor.
Whether he will consent to take another term Is
ton that he will doubtless be called upon to
swer.